Ryley Risling leaving RMU after one season

Forward Ryley Risling is leaving Robert Morris after completing his freshman year.

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound winger skated in 10 games as a freshman in the 2017-18. During his brief time at Robert Morris he scored three goals and had a plus-two rating.

Risling did not respond to a requests for comment on his future plans. Robert Morris head coach Derek Schooley told PHD’s Alan Saunders that Risling “decided to go home to Canada.”

A native of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Risling has spent time playing in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (Canmore Eagles), United States Hockey League (Waterloo Black Hawks) and most recently the Pentiction Vess of the British Colombia Hockey League. In his one season in the BCHL, he scored 14 goals and 13 assists in 54 games.

Risling’s departure marks the ninth of the off-season for the Colonials. Forward Kevin Lavoie’s transfer to the University of Toronto was announced in June. Other departures include graduating forwards Alex Dagnal, Spencer Dorowicz, Brady Ferguson and Timmy Moore, defenseman Brett Beauvais, Alex Bontje, Elias Ghantous and Robert Powers and goaltender Andrew Pikul.

Robert Morris is bringing in a 10-player recruiting class for the 2018-2019 season. The Colonials will start their 2018-19 season with a preseason game on Oct. 7 against Brock University.